Winter). Evaluating human services contracting: Managers, professionals, and politicos. State and Local Government Review

Abstract: When state and local governments contract out for human services, the purchasing process is often affected by the value perspectives of the participants. The contracting system is shaped by differing approaches of three participant types: (1) the managers, who emphasize the traditional principles of efficiency, least cost, and accountability; (2) the professionals, who stress cooperation, professional norms, and client service; and (3) the politicos, who are responsive to major political interests. Since they have different outlooks, these groups have conflicting expectations and evaluations of the contracting process and its outcomes. In addition, the three value approaches produce several organizational, operational, and political problems in the purchasing system. Understanding how participants and observers evaluate the success of individual contracts and the system as a whole can produce an improved knowledge of the complexities of the contracting process